Meireles joins Chelsea as Benayoun goes

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Chelsea have signed Portugal midfielder Raul Meireles from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old, who has agreed a four-year contract with his new club, moved to Stamford Bridge hours after it was announced he had requested a move from Liverpool.

He made 44 appearances for the Merseysiders during his year at Anfield and was previously at Porto with Chelsea boss Andre Vilas-Boas.

Meanwhile, Yossi Benayoun has joined Arsenal from Chelsea on a season-long loan.

The Israeli playmaker, 31, struggled to establish himself in Blues’ first team after signing from Liverpool last year and was widely tipped to move on before the transfer deadline.

Benayoun, who made his name during a two-year spell at West Ham, was one of four players to leave SW6 on loan before the window closed.

Left-back Patrick van Aanholt has joined Wigan on a season-long deal and recent Blues signing Ulises Davila has joined Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, also on loan for the rest of the season.

And French playmaker Gael Kakuta has joined Bolton until January.